Obituary of Clarence B. Red Van Dusen

Clarence B. "Red" Van Dusen, 91, died on November 2, 2015, following a brief illness. Born on February 4, 1924, to Birney and Elsie (Hurst) Van Dusen, Red lived for many years in Lafayette. He married Doris Massett on February 26, 1949, at Most Holy Rosary Church, and they were married for 53 years until her death in 2002. When Doris was living at Van Duyn Nursing Home after suffering from a stroke, he drove to see her every day, and continued to volunteer there for many years after her passing. In addition to his family, Red was well-known and loved by many in the Syracuse area, from neighbors to waitresses to the staff at Summerfield Village where he spent his last few years. He was particularly appreciated for his dry sense of humor. He served in the 740th Anti-Aircraft Battalion during WWII, helping protect Belgian and Dutch citizens from German V1 and V2 rockets. While stationed in Belgium, he lived with a civilian family who could not pronounce his name. He jokingly told them, "Just call me George," and the name stuck throughout the war. Red retired from Allied Chemical after 35 years. Red is survived by two sisters: Gloria Coon of Michigan and Loretta Eddy of Syracuse; two daughters: Ruth M. Cullen of Oregon and Patricia A. Lane of Syracuse; two sons: James B. (Barbara) Van Dusen of Syracuse and Donald C. (Joy) Van Dusen of Liverpool; 7 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Ave., Syracuse. A service will follow at 11am. Burial will be in Onondaga Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation; 5005 Campuswood Dr., East Syracuse, NY 13057.